It's starting to come together!

My Sashiko and Applique Quilt

is starting to come together!!

The center is done!

quilting ideas are running around in my head…

but next up borders … hmmm…what to do?

Maybe a sashiko border?!?….

we shall see what the new year brings!

Happy New Year to all!

Whirl wind Month and Block #9 done ….

December is JAM Packed!

Victoria came home from Grad school for Christmas

and she brought Stella!

The cute little Chihuahua puppy that was rescued 

from a trash barrel at her school…

a true rescue dog!

We celebrated my mom's 90th birthday!

Victoria and I went out for our yearly

girls day out at the Nutcracker!

Nana over seeing Cookie Night

the start of 15 dozen Santa Face Cookies

Matthew doing his part for cookie night

Matthew, Nana and Victoria

Tree trimming night

Matthew, Victoria and Stephen

The Christmas tree

Love our tree

it has such an old fashioned look to it

the mantel

Here are just a few of the ornaments on our tree,

everyone has there passion represented!

My Quilting

Matthew's Flying

All the planes are from the Hallmark Plane Series

that go back to 1997!

The Nutcracker

we have at least 2 dozen nutcrackers on the tree

Stephen and his fishing hobby

Victoria and all of her sports

and music

there are even four very social ornaments from my childhood tree

yup they are over 50 years old!!

me with the Dogs

Stella and Bella!!

I even had time to finish block #9

of my Sashiko Applique quilt!

It all leads up to tomorrow …

CHRISTMAS!!

Wishing you all a wonderfully blessed Christmas

and a Happy and Healthy New Year

block 8 and the design wall

Here is Block 8 

"Hibiscus"

looks whats coming together on the design wall!

working on block 9!

just need to cut the setting triangles …

Again!

I know they are here in my sewing room…

some where…

just can't seem to find them!

I must have put them in that 

"special safe place so they don't get lost"

ya know what I mean …right?!

UGH!

I'm sure they will turn up as soon as I finish the quilt top!!!

Block #7 of the Sashiko and Applique Sampler

Block #7

Moth Orchid

Here they are on the design wall!

What a pretty Bunch!

just two more appliqué blocks and I can

start putting them all together!

Two more Sashiko and Appliqué blocks completed!

Anthurium

Plumeria

the Plumeria block was a challenge!

I did not like the way the pattern had me do the pieces

so I ripped it all out and designed my own

Plumeria flower … the challenge was

the petals overlapped

so my first flow center did not come out so hot

but with a little pressing and a few 

strategically place beads I think it will be ok!

A Quilter's Gathering 2014

The "Gathering" has come and gone

and I'm still pinching myself!

Yup ... Funky Garden on Red 

did very well!

Second Place in Overall Craftsmanship!

I'm just so pleased!

This beauty won Best of Show

"October Sky"

by Bethanne Nemesh

done on silk

 just look at the beautifully quilted turkey!

"Kaleidoscopic Calamity"

by Margaret Solomon Gunn

received a first place for color compatibility

Quilting Excellence went to

"Endless Waves"

by Loiuse LarRose Isabelle

 I've seen this quilt done before,

but when you get up close it really sparkles

The feathered quilting really made the quilt

And I was SO happy my Quilty Gal Pal

Diana R. Annis

won a third Place for her beautifully machine quilted

"Barbara"

These are just a few of the fabulous quilts

that were display this past weekend…

really enjoyed strolling through the quilts

and getting inspired!

Block #3 and #4 done

Just finished the appliqué on the Ginger block

and the Heliconia block

here are my four completed blocks on my pull down design wall!

only 5 more to go!

Another Sashiko and Applique block completed

Block number two finished

really love how these blocks are turning out!

Sashiko and appliqué project

Started working on the appliqué blocks 

of my Tropical Sample Quilt

Loving this project!

Loving even more….
my new needles…

#10 Applique Hiroshima Needles by Tulip

I'm using Batik fabrics for the appliqué flowers

and these needles just glide right through.

Found mine at Knit One Quilt Two

(love that shop!)

Mini Shop Hop - so much fun!

Yesterday my Quilty Gal Pal Joan and I went on

our very own mini shop hop!

It was great to get out and see a few shops.

I've been in a little funk lately -  

nothing has been hitting me

until yesterday!

Boy did the Creative Juice Hammer hit me 

- thunk - 

The first shop Calico Cottage

is a very nice shop with a great selection of fabrics!

The first thing to hit me was 

the "Swoon" t-shirt - a MUST have!

a few EPP packets

 a great piece of yellow/orange fabric 

for an applique project that's in the works,

and "The Dress" pattern

 ~ thunk~

not that I have anyone getting married,

but for some reason I just fell in love with

this pattern and it's laser cut silvery fabric.

Having never worked with laser cut fusible fabric

this could be a really fun project!

Our next stop was 

Knit One Quilt Too
this little shop is jammed with fabric, notions,
yarns, embroidery floss, ribbons, buttons…
my head spins every time I go in ~
there is just SO much eye candy!
Really need to control myself in this shop!
They have my favorite - Japanese fabrics!!
Picked up a pre-print Sashiko table topper,
new Tulip Applique needles
a beautiful pattern for all of my Japanese fabrics,
and of course a FQ of Kaffee for my appliqué projects!

the last stop of the day was at

Just Quilts

a small shop packed with lots of Batiks,

novelty, panels and holiday fabrics.

Just had to add to my Batik stash!

more Sashiko threads

and my Favorite Best Press scent

Caribbean Beach!

I now like ironing!!!

It was a great day!
My Quilty Gal Pal Joan
picked up a few goodies herself!

I think the Creative Juice Hammer
hit her too!
Joan ~ can't wait to see your bag when it's done!

A night with Alex, Victoria and Friends at Quilters Way

Last Tuesday three of my Quilty Gal Pals

Joan, Betty and Giuliana

went to Quilter's Way in Acton

for a special guest event with…

Alex Veronelli of Aurifil Threads

 and
Victoria Findlay Wolfe of 15 Minutes of Play

What a fabulous night!

Alex was mesmerizing as he explained 

how Aurifil thread was made.

He presented a slide show and explained

each step of the thread making process!
Who knew thread making could be that interesting!

Plus he sent everyone home with thread color cards and 

thread samples ~ 6 spools all different weights

12, 28, 40, 50, wool and 6 strand embroidery!

Wow! Can not wait to play with them!

Speaking of play….
How about 15 Minutes of Play!

Victoria's Quilt made from orphan blocks and much more!

Having followed Victoria Findlay Wolfe's blog for a

number of years I was very excited to hear her speak.

She did not disappoint … 

her stories and humor made the night fly by! 

Loved how she takes scraps, sews them

together and creates such beautiful quilts.

she is a very passionate quilter

who just loves what she does!

she just jumps right in and starts creating!

Just Love that!

It was a fun evening, 

especially sharing it with friends!

Thanks Joan, Betty and Giuliana!